J. Marie Willkens
Wednesday
3
January

Memorial Service

10:30 am
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Gallatin First United Methodist Church
149 West Main Street
Gallatin, Tennessee, United States
615-452-1925

Obituary of J. Marie Willkens

J. Marie Willkens (nee Shupe), most recently of Gallatin, Tennessee, passed away on December 31st, 2017 in the loving company of her family.  Born in 1930 in Buffalo, New York, to Ralph and Mary Shupe and the eldest of four children, Marie demonstrated her precocious nature and creative spirit at a very young age.  Educated in a one-room school house, she graduated high school at 15 and attended Buffalo State Teacher’s College.  That decision led to her husband of 67 years, Daniel N. Willkens, and rich life lived in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, Greenville, Ohio, Nashville, Tennessee, Wimbledon UK, Myrtle Beach, S.C., and New York State - Big Flats, Painted Post, Freeville, and Elmira.

 

Marie was a devoted life partner and wife, loving mother of six children (Deborah – deceased), Catherine, Diane, Suzanne, Barbara, and Daniel).  She finished college at 39, graduating cum laude from Miami of Ohio in 1969, and began an inspiring teaching career.  Later, at the age of 63, Marie became a local pastor at Freeville United Methodist Church after attending Wesleyan Seminary in Washington, D.C.   Marie was also a counselor to women returning to the workforce, an innovative artist, avid bridge player, quilter and knitter, golfer, and exceptional “homemaker” in the truest sense having created home at 27 addresses in 67 years of marriage.

 

Marie’s life is celebrated and reflected in those who live on, including 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, many in-laws, cousins, extended family, and friends of the family.  A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church, 149 West Main Street, Gallatin, at 10:30 on Wednesday, January 3rd.  In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the American Diabetes Association.  Alexander Family Heritage Funeral Home has been honored with arrangements.  Online condolences may be submitted at alexanderheritagefh.com. 

 

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